Anointed with Oil

Gospel Reflection For The 1st day of February in the year of Our Lord, 2024

Gospel

Mark 6:7-13

7 And he called the twelve; and began to send them two and two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. 8 And he commanded them that they should take nothing for the way, but a staff only: no scrip, no bread, nor money in their purse, 9 But to be shod with sandals, and that they should not put on two coats. 10 And he said to them: Wheresoever you shall enter into an house, there abide till you depart from that place.

11 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you; going forth from thence, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony to them. 12 And going forth they preached that men should do penance: 13 And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

Today’s Gospel shows us the beginning of the Christian Priesthood. Specifically in this passage, Jesus gave to His Apostles the power to drive out demons and heal people through the Anointing of the Sick.

Unfortunately, too few Catholics, and far fewer Protestants, even recognize these duties of the priest. Belief in demons is seen as old fashioned superstition. Many “educated and sophisticated” people refuse to believe in evil spirits and the power of Satan. Some so called “religious scholars” consider the devil and demons to be only symbolic representations of evil… and many deny evil all together. Such views are fairly common in classrooms, even at our esteemed Catholic universities. I am afraid they have led many astray, placed many souls in peril and will have to answer for much when their times come. Frankly, I do not believe anyone should be allowed to teach in a Catholic school if they do not believe the Bible and the teachings of the Catholic Church. Both teach that demons are real and the Church still has official exorcists – nothing has changed.

I am not sure why anyone even calls themselves Christian and/or Catholic if they do not believe the Bible and the Church. Being Catholic is not like being Jewish. A person can be born a Jew but not practice Judaism. One may be born into a Catholic family, but one is only a Catholic if they are in communion with the Catholic Church and that hinges on the confession of faith that states that they believe in the teachings of the Catholic Church and reject the devil. If that belief is lost, one is no longer in communion with the Church. Such a person should thoroughly examine their conscience in light of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. If there is a teaching they reject, they should speak with their priest immediately. Hopefully, they can come to understand and seek reconciliation. If a person who is not in communion with the Church receives the Eucharist, they commit a mortal sin… no matter how many generations of their family have been Catholic or if they are a United States Senator or President, and no matter how rich or educated they are.

I think though, that most Catholics do accept and respect the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick. Last year, the priest at a parish I was visiting preached a homily of the importance of this sacrament. What was surprising is that he said that so many were confused about this sacrament. They thought one should only request it on their death bed, as Last Rites. It seems that many in this very large parish had never received this sacrament at all! They have three Sunday Masses, and the church is always packed. After the 8AM Mass, some 300 people stayed to receive the sacrament! So many stayed for the 11AM Mass, that the priest stay late into the afternoon! Many left for lunch and returned. This church is in a retirement community. I was shocked to realize that so many cradle Catholics had not been taking advantage of this sacrament that offers healing for soul and body.

Whether in our Catholic schools or for adults in our parishes, we need an emphasis on accurate and ongoing catechesis!

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Judson Carroll is the author of several books, including his newest, A Daily Catholic Devotional Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings January-June, 2024. It is Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPD1DC7Q

and

Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith. It is also Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK

His new podcast is The Uncensored Catholic https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-uncensored-catholic